Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinning apparatus for forming a workpiece. The spinning apparatus includes at least one spinner capable of deforming the workpiece. The apparatus allows for the forming of the workpiece in four different axes. The spinning apparatus includes an arrangement allowing for the vertical arrangement of the workpiece while the spinner is working on the workpiece. The spinning apparatus includes a clamp for holding the workpiece vertically. The spinner is positioned vertically below the clamp and the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics which can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, and/or by spinning. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinning apparatus for forming a workpiece when the workpiece is arranged in a substantially vertical orientation. The spinning apparatus includes at least one tool capable of altering the shape of the workpiece while spinning. The apparatus also includes a clamp configured to hold the workpiece as the tool works the workpiece. The spinning apparatus includes a spinning arrangement allowing for the vertical arrangement of the workpiece while the tool is working on the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for spinning circumferential articles with constant length end surfaces. The article is first spun to define the circumferential surface, and a mandrel is then introduced, whereby the mandrel has a shoulder positionable adjacent to the end surfaces. The end surfaces, while supported by the mandrel, are further spun, and the material is flow formed into the shoulder, to define a constant and defined length to the article.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics which can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, and/or by spinning. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing a wheel disc into a wheel rim to manufacture a vehicle wheel includes upper and lower disc engaging members, which are clamped against opposite sides of the disc, and upper and lower rim engaging members, which engage upper and lower edges of the rim. The disc is first separated from the rim to assure proper alignment between the disc and rim and then forced into frictional engagement with the rim, while a compressive force is applied axially along the rim to relieve stresses and facilitate installation of the disc into the rim.